Family Weekend!

Well, Joe and I went to Family Weekend at Niagara University this weekend.  It was wonderful seeing Tina and Matt.  Tina is a senior there and Matt is a freshman.  Tina calls often and texts me at least daily.  Matthew, on the other hand, never calls and only texts when he needs something.  I guess he is adjusting well to being away from home! 

Anyway, we had a nice weekend with them.  We went to dinner on Friday evening and then went back to Tina's apartment and just visited for a while. On Saturday, we went out to breakfast with the kids and then went to the American side of Niagara Falls.  It is beautiful even when there is no sun shining.  We took a ride on the Maid of the Mist and then we went to the Cave of the Winds.  It is truly God's creation.  We got some exercise and walked around the park, which is just beautiful in the fall with the changing colors of the leaves. Later we dropped off the kids at school and went to the hotel room.  It was quite chilly and damp outside so we were going to take a rest and warm up for a bit before going out to dinner at this Italian bistro that we love in Lewiston, NY.  Let me just say for everyone that has never been in a hot tub or a jacuzzi that this should be a standard item in every home. It was pure bliss to relax in that tub! 

On Sunday, we decided to forego having breakfast at a restaurant and bought stuff to make at Tina's apt.  While we were in the middle of making our fritattas and french toast, there was a fire drill.  Did I neglect to mention that these are on-campus apts?  We joked our way through the drill and the rest of breakfast.  It was a nice time.

It was nice to get home Sunday afternoon.  Our animals missed us.  Chopper, our faithful canine companion, was by our side all evening.  I truly can not wait until we see them again.  Tina will be home this weekend, but Matthew will not be home until Thanksgiving.  That's a long wait for the momma!

Hello again!

So it's been a very long time since my last post and I feel compelled to start writing again.  My life has changed in the last couple of months and I feel I have grown in so many ways. 

My middle child, Matthew, graduated from High School in June.  I am so very proud of him!  He is attending Niagara University with his sister, who is now a senior there.  While in the midst of all this change - going from having a busy household of 5 to a much slower household of 3 - I felt mixed emotions.  I could not help but feel trepidation at the huge change to my lifestyle that was happening whether I wanted it or not. On the other hand, I am so close to being an empty nester, I can almost taste it!  I've wondered what I will do with all of the spare time I have now that I only have one 14 yr old at home.  Will I even still like my husband when the kids are gone and it is just the two of us at home.  What on earth will we talk about?  I can cook anything I want for dinner and not worry if the kids will eat it.  My 14 yr old, Jon, is so picky the dinner selections are quite limited.

So, it has been an adjustment for me.  I feel I have handled the emptiness of missing my children well.  My daughter, Tina, talks to me often (and then some) for which I am truly grateful.  My son, Matt, would not call me unless he had to.  He is loving his life at college and is very independent.  I am very happy for him though I miss him terribly. Fortunately, it is Parent's Weekend at the college this weekend and I will get to see both of my babies. I am very excited!